Checks reach record high average of $1,044
TRENTON, NJ – July 15, 2008 – (RealEstateRama) — Governor Jon S. Corzine and State Treasurer David Rousseau announced today that the Division of Taxation has begun mailing 2007 Property Tax Reimbursement (PTR) checks to qualified senior and disabled homeowners. Checks for the program — commonly known as the “Senior Freeze” program — will average a record high of $1,044 and are being sent out to more than 100,000 eligible recipients.
“The Senior Freeze Program remains fully funded in this year’s budget as part of Governor Corzine’s commitment to easing the property tax burden, particularly for New Jersey’s most vulnerable residents,” said Treasurer Rousseau. “More than half of all spending in the FY 09 budget is dedicated to property tax relief, and this program delivers targeted help to senior and disabled residents of limited means,” he said.
The Senior Freeze Program was funded at $169 million for FY 2009, up from $153 million in FY 2008. The $169 million is in addition to the $1.7 billion allocated for the Homestead Rebate Program, and part of over $2.5 billion in direct relief to New Jersey property taxpayers for FY 09. Homestead Rebate checks for seniors and disabled residents and tenants are to be mailed at the end of July.
Under the Senior Freeze Program, qualifying senior and disabled citizens are directly reimbursed by the State for the difference between the amount of local property taxes paid in the “base year” (the year that applicants became eligible and first filed for the program) and the amount of property taxes paid for the reimbursement year. Applicants originally had until June 2 to file for this benefit, but in order to encourage all eligible residents to apply, the deadline was extended to August 15, 2008.
The Division today mailed out 101,275 checks to qualified applicants who filed by the original June 2 deadline. Those who filed after the original deadline will receive their checks as their applications are processed. Last year, nearly 40,000 checks were sent out after the general mid-July mailing. In total, approximately 160,000 Senior Freeze checks, averaging $931, were issued for last year’s program.
Every year the Division of Taxation receives thousands of PTR applications that are missing required information or documentation. Residents who filed incomplete applications will receive information on how to make them complete. Last month the Division mailed approximately 10,000 notices requesting the missing information from these applicants.
“The sooner they return the necessary information and/or documentation to us, the sooner we can process their applications and send them the benefits for which they are eligible,” Treasurer Rousseau said.
Applicants with questions or who want to check the status of their reimbursement checks may call the Property Tax Reimbursement Hotline at 1-800-882-6597. Information about the program is also available on the Division of Taxation’s Web site at www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/propfrez.htm.
For Information Contact:
Tom Bell
(609) 984-7110
